art of experiential design

REX

Jiangsu, China

SUMMARY

We designed a permanent LED installation with AR interaction, and designed and produced the full-suite of visual content in a new nightclub build in the trendy 1912 nightlife district of Nanjing.

DETAIL

This nightclub was designed for lounge lovers, with no space for a dance-floor, it was intended to be a space to relax with exceptional table service and surrounded by our bespoke LED installation that complimented and heightened the effect of the music.

One aspect we noted in Chinese nightclubs was a number of people using their mobile phone in the venues. Rather than ignore this trend, we added the unexpected element of letting the guests interact with the cutting edge screen using an AR application that encouraged selfies with the screen, and also let them VJ selected content for a short moment during the evening.

Our LED install is seamlessly built into the back wall and both sections have the potential to be mapped in a number of interesting looks. The content was perfectly mapped to each facet. The content we designed was made to be played back in a number of different ways for different tempos. The nightclub was frequented by a regular clientele, so our variety of visuals and their application meant the atmosphere could efficiently transform in an incredible amount of ways.

The main point of focus is to create an installation that feels different as the night progresses, and also maintains the theme of ice and fire. This flexibility and transformative quality was the basis for all our design research. We then animated to a range of moods; from calm and subdued to kinetic and vibrant

The installation is so large that it becomes a main lighting feature. Installation is designed in rectangles and has many angles to its construction, using 4mm LED that is quite detailed and very bright. To tone down the garishness of LED, we created 2 layers of graphics. The first is in the foreground and where all the action happens, the second is much slower than the foreground so that the lighting in the room will be calmer and the atmosphere more enjoyable. We also keep 40% of the screen black to keep the room from lighting up too much.

Immersive is thoroughly experienced to work in permanent installations like these as we have a long history of designing in and for music venues, and our combination architectural heritage and our understanding of animating in scale and in space, means we are uniquely equipped to create this kind of work.